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Digital Technologies in Construction Management Dissertation
Digital Technologies in Construction Management Dissertation
Digital Technologies in Construction Management Dissertation
MANAGEMENT
DISSERTATION IN ARCHITECTURE
2023-2024
Submitted by:
234BARCH003/SAA/B.Arch./Session
SUSHANT UNIVERSITY
Acknowledgments……………………………………………………………………………. i
List of Tables/Illustrations/Figures……………………………………………………………. ii
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………...…iii
Chapter 3: ................................................................................................................................... 1
Bibliography
Annexure
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The main purpose of this dissertation is to focus on the digital technologies that are
used in the construction management process and which are the software and tools used
in those digital technologies from planning to cost estimating and scheduling the
process
The construction industry is shifting toward Digital Technologies and has started using
tools such as BIM, Construction management software, Project management software,
and all other digital equipment to improve workflow and reduce the issues faced by the
construction industry.
This dissertation is based on the literature study and the basis of this study all the
software will be explored and what uses in construction management will be identified
Keywords:
1.3: Aim
This dissertation aims to explore the application of digital technologies in construction
management, with a particular focus on the software and tools used for construction
management.
Q3. What the basic limitations and challenges are associated with the use of DT in CM?
Q4. What do all software-based technologies do and to what extent they are used in CM?
1.6: Scope
This dissertation will cover a range of digital technologies used in construction management but
not just limited to BIM, IOT, Drones, and other technologies. This study will also review the
various software that are commonly used in the construction management process such as Revit,
Procore, Twin Motion, and others. The limitations discussed will contain technical,
organizational, and human factors that affect the successful integration of these technologies.
2.1: Introduction
The construction sector has made a lot of progress in recent years and the reason for the
progress of the construction industry is the use of DT in this sector. These technologies
have completely changed old construction techniques, making project planning, design,
and implementation more efficient. This literature review is intended to be an in-depth
study of software used in construction management and its role in the field of
construction management.
project planning: this includes the management of the site evolution with the
consideration of objectives and deliverables and also includes the material that will be
used on the site.
Budgeting and cost control: the construction management analyzes the estimated cost
of the project, prepares the budget, and monitors the whole construction process
Risk management: The construction management has to consider the risk factors that
can arise on the site that can be related to the budget, use of equipment, safety factors,
etc. Construction management helps reduce risk factors and provides a safe working
environment.
Source: Modern Construction Management by Prof. Frank Harris, Prof. Ronald McCaffer, Andrew
Baldwin, Francis Edum-Fotwe
The digital technology that has been seen so much in the field of construction
management is the use of BIM (Building Information Modeling), construction
management software, project management software, IoT (Internet of Things), Drones,
and AI cloud computing.
2.2.1: BIM
BIM is not just a program or any software although BIM consists of multiple software
and all the software is linked together which allows a seamless process that is based on
accuracy and consists of detailed project data from the conceptual stage to the design
completion and scheduling. BIM is used in many fields such as Architects, Civil
Engineers, MED, etc. (6, 2020)
The factor that led to the adoption of BIM in the construction project is focused on the
automation of the modeling process, improving the correctness of the construction
document, enhancing the inter-party communication in the design and construction
process and automatically reflecting the changes in the design to the all the concern
authorities who are working on the particular project. (6, 2020)
Before the introduction of the BIM, the project was managed in such a way that all the
stakeholders were used to take their part individually but not as a whole which led to
multiple errors and conflicts among the stakeholders which increased the cost and time
of construction process. (3, 2023)
The use of BIM is a great advantage in construction management as every graphic must
be updated when a change has occurred in the project while the BIM system
automatically updates the changes in all the other documents both in 2D and 3D. (3,
2023)
This dissertation has explored the five BIM software Revit, Archicad, BIM360,
Cove.tool, and Tekla, and how they are used in construction management.
Revit is a BIM software which is developed by Autodesk this software is widely used in
construction management as it has various feature which helps in the construction
management process. Revit allows the various stakeholders such as architects, engineers,
MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumping), etc. They create a 3D model of a project and
that model serves as a common platform for all of them for visualization and
collaboration, helping them to better understand the design and can make early changes
in the project. Revit also identifies the clash detection between the building components
Revit is used to make construction schedules and phasing plans based on the 3D BIM
model so that the construction manager coordinates the activity, manages the resources,
and makes sure that construction processes smoothly. Revit also provides the drawing
and documentation automatically with the help of a 3D model which helps in time
management of the project. (8)
Revit can perform energy analysis in building model to evaluate the energy performance
this is important for sustainable building and help the construction manager to decide on
energy-efficient design features. Revit also consists of a tool that ensures building
designs match the local building bylaws this feature can save time and resources by
avoiding revision during the permitting process. Due to the accurate data used in the 3D
model, the model can be used in project lifecycle management. (8)
Archicad is BIM software used for architectural design and modeling. It is not a dedicated
construction management tool but it helps the construction manager in various ways.
Archicad allows the coordination of different stakeholders which helps in coordinating
different features of the project to ensure that all the elements fit together in the project
seamlessly. It also detects the clash which helps in changes before starting the
construction and also reduces the error of work. (4, 2011) A detailed archicad model can
be used for the accurate quantity needed for the construction which helps the construction
manager to keep the record and will help them to get an exact estimate of the project.
While Archicad is not a dedicated construction management tool the data of the Archicad
can be exported to construction management tools and can give various data for
managing the construction process. Archicad generates construction drawings,
specifications, and other documentation required for the construction phase these
documents are used for the permits and guide the contractors during construction. The
BIM model created by Archicad can link to various construction management software
to provide real-time cost information, helping in budget management during
construction. (4, 2011) (9)
Cove.tool is a software platform primarily used in the construction sector for energy
modeling, sustainability analysis, and cost estimation. Cove.tool enables architects,
engineers, and construction professionals to provide a building energy performance
throughout the lifecycle. (10,11, 2023) Cove.tool provides the data to evaluate the
environmental effect of the construction project. The software provides data on carbon
footprint, water consumption, and material choice this helps the construction managers
to make sustainable decisions. Cove.tool generates the project cost estimate based on the
design of the building and also financial data for the green building certification this
helps the construction manager to get an exact cost estimate for the building to get a
certified tag. Cove.tool provides a common platform for all the stakeholders to
communicate and make changes according to this the risk of conflict among the
stakeholders is reduced and the changes are made prior so it reduces the risk of error and
helps in reducing the cost of construction it also helps that the building meets the building
Tekla Structures is a powerful software primarily used in the construction and structural
engineering industry. The use of Tekla structures helps in construction management in
various ways. Tekla Structures excels at creating highly detailed and accurate 3D models
of structural components, including steel and concrete. This model serves as the basis for
construction planning, design coordination, and project construction management. Tekla
provides the capability to make accurate measurements directly from the 3D model.
Tekla Structures includes clash detection tools that help identify and resolve clashes and
conflicts between different structural components and building systems straight from the
design and planning phase. (4, 2011) (12, 2018) Tekla Structures facilitates collaboration
between AEC by providing a common platform to share and work on the same structural
model. The software generates manufacturing drawings, including construction drawings
and assembly drawings, directly from the 3D model. This streamlines the manufacturing
process, improves accuracy, and improves communication with manufacturers and
contractors. (12, 2018) (13, 2023) Tekla Structures enables constructability analysis to
evaluate the feasibility of proposed design and construction methods. It helps identify
potential problems and provides information to optimize the construction process.
Construction managers can use 3D models to plan site logistics, including locating
construction equipment, material storage areas, and temporary structures. Tekla
Structures provides mobile and field access solutions that enable construction teams to
Fieldwire is a CMS platform that provides field management and collaboration tools. It
offers features that streamline communication, task management, and document sharing,
making it valuable in construction management. Fieldwire allows construction managers
to create and allot tasks to project team members, subcontractors, and other stakeholders.
The software keeps all of the construction documents, including drawings, plans,
specifications, and other files related to the project. This ensures that all team members
have access to the most up-to-date project documents. Fieldwire allows users to view
construction plans and drawings on mobile devices. It supports annotations, annotations,
and comments directly on plans, making it effortless to communicate and identify
problems in the field. Construction managers can create and manage task lists in
Fieldwire, specifying items that need to be edited or completed. This feature streamlines
the to-do list process and ensures that any issues are resolved before the project is
FinalCad helps teams identify, track, and resolve errors. It also provides tools to manage
quality processes. FinalCad helps teams create and manage security plans, perform
audits, and track incidents. It also provides tools to manage risk assessments and security
training. FinalCad helps teams track task progress, activities, and milestones. It also
provides tools to create reports and dashboards to check project progress. FinalCad is
used by many construction professionals, including general contractors, subcontractors,
project managers, and owners. FinalCad is used to create and manage quality plans,
safety plans, and project schedules. FinalCad is used to track the progress of tasks,
activities, and milestones. It can also be used to manage quality and safety inspections
and resolve defects. FinalCad is used to create final reports and deliver documents.
FinalCad tools can help teams identify, track, and resolve defects faster and more
effectively. FinalCad tools can help teams automate many tasks related to CM, such as
tracking progress, managing inspections, and resolving defects. FinalCad provides a
central platform for teams to provide documents, drawings, and other project
information. FinalCad provides a central platform for teams to provide documents,
drawings, and other project information. It also provides tools for real-time
communication and collaboration. (19,2023)
PMS is not a core software for construction management as it is also used in various
fields as well but PMS plays a very important role in the field of CM it is used to manage
all the aspects of construction management from pre- to post-construction. (20) Here are
ClickUp is project management software that offers a variety of features to help teams
plan, track, and work together on projects of all sizes. ClickUp is a highly customizable
platform, making it ideal for a variety of construction projects. Teams can create custom
workflows, fields, and views to meet their specific needs. ClickUp provides a central
platform for teams to share documents, drawings, and other project information. It also
provides real-time communication and collaboration tools. This can help improve
communication and coordination between team members, customers, and other
stakeholders. ClickUp offers many tools for tracking project progress, including task
lists, Gantt charts, and calendars. Teams can also create custom reports to track specific
metrics. ClickUp is used to create and manage project schedules, budgets, and quality
plans. ClickUp is used to record progress on tasks, activities, and milestones. ClickUp
task management allows teams to create, assign, and track tasks. ClickUp Gantt charts
provide a visual representation of project progress. Teams can use Gantt charts to track
task progress, identify potential bottlenecks, and adjust their schedules as needed.
ClickUp Calendar allows teams to see all of their upcoming tasks and events in one place.
Teams can also use calendars to create custom reminders and deadlines. ClickUp offers
several reports to help teams track project progress, identify problems, and make the right
decisions. ClickUp offers a variety of reports to help teams track project progress,
identify potential issues, and make informed decisions. Some of the most commonly used
reports in construction management include task progress reports, Gantt chart reports,
and progress reports. This can help them improve efficiency, reduce costs, and complete
projects on time. (21.2023)
Basecamp is a PMS platform that is used for project management and collaboration it is
widely used in CM for communication, coordination, and task management to keep a
record of the project. It provides a common platform for all the stakeholders to
communicate so that anyone can inform anyone very quickly. The basecamp also
provides the latest update of the drawings, and documents related to construction to all
the stakeholders so that everyone can be updated. Basecamp provides a task management
list to everyone so that it gets easy to know what task is given to whom by that task can
be completed on time and updated on the software. The scheduling features help in
putting the project timelines and deadlines so that the planning and monitoring of the
JIRA is a PMS developed by the Atlassian. JIRA is widely used in the CPM in terms of
project planning and tracking JIRA divides the construction project into parts to get the
data of the requirements per stage which helps in the structured approach in the project
planning. JIRA backlogs the small aspects of the project and prioritizes the main
important work. In the construction processes various changes occur in the design as well
as the defects at the construction site JIRA helps in tracking and managing these issues
and gives information to all the stakeholders so that the changes or defects can be updated
on time and provide a proper solution to it. JIRA provides communication and
coordination between all the stakeholders together so that conflicts between the
stakeholders do not arise and it is used as a common platform for all to exchange
information related to the construction project. JIRA provides an easy workflow
customization so that the data can be stored in stages which makes it easy to get the data
of any stage quickly when needed. JIRA can integrate with BIM tools to provide the data
of the project with the BIM 3D representation. JIRA creates custom reports and
dashboards to keep track of the construction process and provide the stakeholders with
real-time data about the construction progress. JIRA helps to keep all the documents safe
and on record when the documents, drawings, and reports are attached to them. (24)
(25,2013)
BIBLIOGRAPHY